Where to Find the Nelson Vineyards
There are many reasons to love the Nelson region in New Zealand. The obvious one is for its sunny climate. This, mixed with the weathered gravels of an ancient river system stretching from St Arnaud to the coast has created the perfect gravel threaded clay soils for growing wine grapes. From the Moutere Hills to the foothills of Richmond, the region is scattered with vineyards. Many of these vineyards have their cellar doors open for tastings of their magnificent creations. Because of the close proximity of most Nelson wineries, it’s easy to hop on a bike to explore a selection. A popular way of getting between the Nelson wineries is via the Great Taste Trail, which you can read more about in Mountain Biking in Nelson Tasman.
All the Nelson wineries mentioned below are family-owned, meaning that you’ll often meet the winemakers themselves when visiting their cellar door. It’s a great way to experience their passion!
So whether it’s by bike, by a bus tour, or just experiencing one Nelson winery, you’ll find a winery to fulfil your foodie side in Nelson!
1. Fossil Ridge Wines
On the Richmond Foothills, a mere 20 minutes drive from Nelson city, Fossil Ridge Wines offers cellar door tastings, a cafe, brunch and platters. Why not try their macadamias and olives too? Fossil Ridge Wines is open in summer Wednesday to Sunday.
Location: 71 Hart Road, Richmond
© Pexels2. Milcrest Estate
A big name in the wine-making industry, Milcrest Estate produce award-winning Aromatics, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Dolcetto and Montepulciano. They offer a selection of gourmet platters, cheeseboards, and drinks including beers. They are open in summer Friday to Monday or in winter by appointment.
Location: 114 Haycock Road, Hope
© Milcrest Estate3. Greenhough Vineyard
For a guilt-free tasting experience, check out Greenhough Vineyard for their organic wines. Just a short distance away from Richmond, it’s worth popping into their cellar door for a tasting. They are open on Sundays from Labour Weekend (typically around late-October) to Easter Wednesday (typically around mid-April).
Location: 411 Patron Road, Hope
© Pexels4. Brightwater Vineyards
If you like Pinot Noir, then you can’t miss Brightwater Vineyards. Taste award-winning Pinot Noir at their spacious cellar door in Hope. Enjoy a laid-back and unpretentious atmosphere. They are open Monday to Fridays all year round.
Location: 546 Main Road, Hope
© Brightwater Vineyards5. Falcon Ridge Estate
Falcon Ridge Estate is passionate about their methods. They boast their award-winning wines being handpicked in their elevated vineyard. In turn, that gives visitors to their cellar door a spectacular view overlooking the Waimea Plain, Nelson and Tasman Bay. Flacon Ridge Estate is open every day all year round.
Location: 5 Higgins Road, Spring Grove
© Pexels6. Kaimira Wines
It doesn’t get more alternative than Kaimira Wines. Try their organic wines while checking out their on-site art gallery. They boast some unusual varieties, as well as all the favourites. Kaimira Wines opens between November and March, Monday to Saturday.
Location: 97 Livingston Road, Brightwater
© Pexels7. Seifried Estate
This open year-round vineyard is perfect for all seasons. In summer, relax with a glass of wine out in their vineyard garden or huddle next to the fireplace in winter. Restaurant hours are often changing so give them a call before your visit.
Location: Corner of State Highway 60 and Redwood Road, Appleby
© Seidfried Estate8. Te Mania Wines
Another cool and quirky Nelson winery, Te Mania Wines produces some fantastic organic and biodynamic wines in their cellar door. Additionally, don’t miss the world’s biggest grapevine rugby ball! (Yes, did you know that the first rugby game in New Zealand happened in Nelson?) Te Mania Wines are open daily in summer and from Monday to Friday in winter.
Location: 108 McShane Road, Richmond
© Te Mania9. Richmond Plains
Visit this wine producer who produced New Zealand’s first Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from organic and biodynamic grapes. These forward-thinkers offer around seven different varietals, as well as Te Mania wines. Richmond Plains are open daily in summer and from Monday to Friday in winter.
Location: 108 McShane Road, Richmond
© Richmond Plains10. Waimea Estates
Visit this winery all year round for some wine tastings outdoor or indoor amongst the vines. The Waimea Estates are open daily.
Location: Appleby Highway, Hope
© Waimea Estates11. Rimu Grove Winery
With some fantastic views over the Waimea Inlet, try some Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling in the Rimu Grove Winery. They are open daily in summer.
Location: Bronte Road East, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© Rimu Grove Winery12. Ruby Bay Vineyard
Try some Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc and Methode Traditionelle along with some awesome views across the Tasman Bay. Ruby Bay Vineyard is open Monday to Friday in summer.
Location: 271 Pomona Road, Ruby Bay
© Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash13. Kina Beach Vineyard
For a coastal setting along with your wine tasting, check out the Kina Beach Winery. You can only visit the vineyard between Monday to Friday by arrangement only.
Location: 21 Dee Road, Kina
© Pexels14. Kina Cliffs Vineyard
The Kina Cliffs Vineyard is your one-stop-shop for views of the sea, mountains and the vines! Taste award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Rose just 2km off the Tasman Great Taste cycle trail. Find out more in Mountain Biking in Nelson Tasman.
Location: 38 Cliff Road, Kina
© Jorge Royan15. Blackenbrook Vineyard
Although most vineyards in Nelson are family-owned, you won’t get that family feeling more than in the Blackenbrook Vineyard. To reflect this, they are only open on selected long weekends or by appointment.
Location: 50 Baldwin Road, Tasman (turn off at the Tasman General Store
© Blackenbrook Vineyard16. Riwaka River Estate
A small family-owned vineyard producing unique and distinctive-character wines, the Riwaka Estate grown grapes from limestone soils. They are open daily between October and April. While you are in the area, we recommend a visit to the short walk leading to the Riwaka Resurgence (end of Riwaka Valley Road), a river emerging underneath the mountains of the Kahurangi National Park.
Location: 60 Takaka Hill Highway, Riwaka
© Riwaka Rivere Estate17. Dunbar Estates
Formerly the Rabbit Hill Estate, Dunbar Estates is nestled along the Motueka River surrounded by the foothills of the Mt Arthur Range. Check out their lavender farm along with their rustic cafe serving hand-crafted wines. They are open Sundays from September to October, Friday to Sunday from October to November, and Wednesday to Sunday from December to April.
Location: 1469 Motueka Valley Highway, Ngatimoti
© Jorge Royan18. Neudorf Vineyards
A vineyard and a deli! Neudorf Vineyards serves their wines with artisan cheese and olives from their baby deli in the Neudorf garden. They are open daily from October to the end of April.
Location: 138 Neudorf Road, Upper Moutere
© Neudorf Vineyards19. Himmelsfield Wines
A small vineyard with a big punch, Himmelsfield Wines is grown from a 1.2ha (3-acre) hand-managed vineyard. Try their Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet. Find them open daily between November and Easter (typically April).
Location: 100 Gardner Valley Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© Himmelsfeld Wines20. Glovers Vineyard
For a sense of tradition, visit the Glovers Vineyard. Try long-lived and well-structures red and whites at their cellar door. Varieties include Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Shiraz, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. What’s more, they are open daily.
Location: Gardner Valley Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© Photo by Matthieu Joannon on Unsplash21. Gravity Winery
Enjoy some of the best views of the Southern Alps and Tasman Bay while tasting a glass of organic wine at Gravity Winery. Treat yourself to some seasonal cuisine too. They are open daily all year. Note that Gravity Winery was formerly called “Mahana”.
Location: 243 Old Coach Road, Upper Moutere
© George Guille Media - www.nelsontasman.co.nz22. Harakere Farm
If you like home-produced everything, then this is the place to be. Try Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Pinot Rose from the 3-acre vineyard, as well as olive oils, cheeses, jams, preserves and home-baking. They are open on selected weekends.
Location: The Old Post Office Country Store, 1381 Moutere Highway, Moutere Village
© Pexels23. Kahurangi Estate
For a touch of history, taste wines from some of the oldest vines in the South Island. The Kahurangi Estate presents hand-crafted and award-winning wines in their cellar door that is open daily.
Location: Corner of Moutere Highway and Sunrise Road, Upper Moutere
© Emanuel Feruzi on Unsplash24. Moutere Hills Vineyard
Serving both Moutere Hill wines and local beers, there’s something for everyone at the Moutere Hills Vineyard. Enjoy regular live music on Sunday afternoons throughout summer. They are open daily throughout summer, which their Fox ‘n Grapes bar is open on Fridays from 5pm.
Location: Eggers Road, Road 1, Upper Moutere
© PixabayMore About Nelson and Wine
